For centuries, the Petrescu family has been protecting society from a danger that moves among the population undetected. Eighteen-year-old Vasi Petrescu has never had a problem carrying out his duty, but, when ordered to eliminate an eighteen-year-old girl, he is immediately taken out of his comfort zone.

The Syndicate has never targeted a female before, yet somehow this one has ended up on more than one hit list. Vasi would like to find out why, but there may not be time.

Now, he'll have to decide whether or not to keep her alive even if it means going against his own family.

Considering the handsome guy on the cover of The Syndicate, I'd say we have a reason to wait for this book. ;) But seriously, a family keeping society save from danger? What kind of danger? And who decides what is dangerous anyway? The synopsis promises action, secrets, lies, and a male protagonist. A good combination.

“Please, no Shakespeare.” “I am haunted by the ghost of my father, I think that should allow me to quote Hamlet as much as I please. You used to be quite fond of Shakespeare, Prospero.”
-- page 319

If I have to be completely honest, I already finished this book over the weekend and I also know that I’m late to the party to adore this book. Beautifully written and telling a story that is as enchanting as it is imaginative. You should give it a try if you haven’t already. And if you have, let me know in the comments.

Eva’s life is not her
own. She is a creation, an abomination—an echo. Made by the Weavers as a
copy of someone else, she is expected to replace a girl named Amarra,
her “other”, if she ever died. Eva studies what Amarra does, what she
eats, what it’s like to kiss her boyfriend, Ray. So when Amarra is
killed in a car crash, Eva should be ready.

But fifteen years of studying never prepared her for this.

Now
she must abandon everything she’s ever known—the guardians who raised
her, the boy she’s forbidden to love—to move to India and convince the
world that Amarra is still alive.

Why we are waiting: This book posts a couple of questions that are really intriguing. First off, in what society does a person have a "backup"(because that's how I would call Eva), if something happens to them? Moreover, what important role does Amarra play that she needs Eva as her replacement? And what is Eva? A human, or something else entirely? I'm quite sure the answers will be very different from what we imagine. Also I'm extremely curious on how Eva will handle her task of replacing someone she doesn't even know personally! Oh, and don't get me started on the forbidden love thing. I'm a sucker for forbidden love!

So, what do you think? A title for your TBR? What are you waiting on this week?

“In approved places, every story serves a purpose. But forbidden books
are so much more. Some of them are webs; you can feel your way along
their threads, but just barely, into strange and dark corners. Some of
them are balloons bobbing up through the sky: totally self-contained,
and unreachable, but beautiful to watch.
And some of them--the best ones--are doors.”
-- Chapter 13

Today is a late teaser, partly because the weather is nice and partly because I got stuck in a book, which is the best possible way to be stuck if you ask me. Pandemonium uses a different method to tell the story which began in Delirium. It took me a while to get used to the jumps between then and now, but now I’m at a point in the story where I always want to know what happens next, no matter which timeframe I’m in. So excuse me, there is a door waiting for me.

Iason has chosen: love, a life with Mia. In theory, everything is perfect. But suddenly people disappear from the city without a trace. And an eerie whispering speaks to Mia at night. She feels enamoured but doesn't know by what. Is it true that the kidnappers are really after her? Doubts come up that Mia is destined to bring peace to Loduun. And soon suspicion arises that she is controlled by a dark and dangerous force. As a guardian, Iason has to make a far-reaching decision. And Mia gets entangled in a web of intrigues in which she cannot trust anyone, least of all herself.

An international edition of WoW this week. Sternensturm will be the sequel to Sternenschimmer which introduced the reader to a future society beneath glass domes after the ozon layer has collapsed. The earth becomes a place of refuge for a group of young aliens who have to escape an intergalactic war. Despite all their cultural differences and prejudices, Mia, a human, and Iason, an alien, fall in love. The only problem is that Iason is a guardian and his first instinct is to protect his people which destines him to return to his home planet Loduun as soon as possible. He decided to stay in book one but the synopsis for book two hints at the problems this will cause not only for his conscience, but also for his home. It will be interesting to see what happens once Kim Winter moves her characters past the falling-in-love-and-initial-getting-to-know-each-other problems.

I guess lying around reading books all day doesn’t do much for physical endurance.
-- Chapter 1

“Personally, I’m happy I haven’t run into a murderous killer since, well ... since you chopped my ex’s head off with a sword.”
-- Chapter 3

Back to Paris and non-disgusting “Zombies”. And sword fights and, of course, Jules (I like the other characters as well, don't give me that look). Though I have to say that I have a growing suspicion of the dreaded second book syndrome, one of its symptomes being a cliffhanger-ending. But as with all good things, they’re worth the wait.

Wednesday, 9 May 2012

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week’s can’t wait to read selection isWhat's Left of Me by Kat Zang
Publication Date: September 18th 2012

What's left of me - Harper

Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body,taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t …
For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a
way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable–hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet…for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything.

No, it’s not just the cover, but that’s a huge part of it! It’s the whole idea that intrigues me. Two souls in one body and one has to fade? Schizophrenia in a good way? The thought alone is disturbing and - as an early reviewer on goodreads put it - claustophobic. Still, I’m fascinated by the concept. The only thing I’m not too happy about is that it’s another start of a series. I could do with a good stand-alone book for once.

Is What's left of me already on your Mount TBR? And what are you waiting on this week? Let us know!

When one consorts with assassins, one must expect to dance along the edge of a knife once or twice.
-- Chapter 20

I smile back. we are, for all the world, a happy little party out to enjoy the fine autumn day.
But of course, we are not.
-- Chapter 23

I have a soft spot for stories with a historical background, especially medieval courts. Add to that a touch of supernatural and a strong female protagonist ... and a bit of romance, yes ... and you can be fairly certain that I will enjoy it. Grave Mercy fits this bill very neatly. Even if dear Ismae could do with a good reality check from time to time. But then again it is the age of "my god wills it", so I suppose she is quite rebellious for her time. Now for that needle work involving the base of a skull (Chapter 21) ...

Try as she might, Evie
can’t seem to escape her not-so-normal past. And what was supposed to be
a blissfully normal school break is ruined when a massive group of
paranormals shows up at her house, claiming that Evie is the only one
who can protect them from a mysterious, perilous fate.

The
deadly war between the faerie courts looms ever closer. The clock is
ticking on the entire paranormal world. And its future rests solely in
Evie’s hands.

Holy Bleep, it’s Evie again! She still tries to be normal but can’t seem to get the hang of it. Or is it the world around her that can’t?

The series captured me in the first few chapters of Paranormalcy. Evie is funny and witty (at times) and there’s no one who could possibly stand against her pink sparkling teaser called Teasey. Even though, I haven’t been too happy with book two of the series, Supernaturally, I’m looking forward to seeing all the characters again, even Reth.

If you haven’t started the Paranormalcy trilogy yet, you should probably grab book one right now and finish the second before July. Go on. It’s not so far off now. ;)

The average lifespan of a human child, in the time since the Break, was fifty-six hours.
They didn’t even name them anymore.
-- Chapter 1

“‘Death be not proud,’” said Marcus, “‘though some have called
thee mighty and dreadful.’” He paused, thinking. “I’m totally butchering
this.”
-- Chapter 5

I was in need of something a little gritty and un-fluffy and I think I definitely picked up the right books for that. Piece of advise: Don’t read while eating, shortly before or after eating unless you have a strong stomach.